Ben Tiffany

Dan,
Certainly some people would consider these shows to be a bargain at $5.00,but I believe that many others wouldn't and would not attend. Take a good look at the crowd at the next free show you attend and consider how many might just be there because it's free. I really think that charging a fee for these shows would be a mistake. There are a number of other communities in Colorado that also have free shows;maybe we should look into how they cover the costs and still keep them free to attend. As I've mentioned before,I believe that vender sales,particularly beer and wine,make the shows possible,and lower attendance due to a charge for entry might be enough to kill the shows entirely.

Thank you,Karen for bringing up this issue. It would be nice if your letter would chasten dog owners to pay more attention to their dogs and be more considerate of other users of trails,meadows,ball fields,streets,etc. It shouldn't be so difficult to do the right thing.

Scott,
You still don't understand what brings these people to the shows. They come because it's free. It's not unusual for a concert goer to spend $20 or more on beers,food,etc. at a show that's free,and then go out and buy more drinks at a bar afterwards. You are assuming that these people are logical in their spending habits;they're not. That's why it is important that these shows remain free.

Dan,
You must not go to many of these shows. You may think that $5 is not a serious imposition on a show attendee,and in truth,it's not. But many people won't pay it just the same. Not every show has the drawing power of Big Head Todd. The beer sales are far more critical than any money that could be collected as a entry fee,and sales would plummet if crowds were considerably smaller. You're right;everyone wants free. But hey,don't take my word for it. Go ahead and start charging a fee for these shows and see what happens.

There was no snowmaking available in January of 1981,and the previous month (December 1980) was also warmer than usual, if I recall correctly. For this reason,even though there was slightly more snowfall in January 1981 than will end up falling in January 2015,the skiing is far better this month than it was back then (since we had steady snowfall in the latter half of December 2014.) The ski area did not even open until December 26 in 1980 because of the lack of snow. Snowmaking is a blessing.

I don't think you understand the dynamics of why people come to the shows,and how they choose to spend their money while there. There are many people who will come to a show with an unfamiliar musical act out of curiosity;it's free after all,and they will likely run into a bunch of their friends while there. (Visitors to town might be curious about what the locals do for fun.) Many of them might care little about the actual music,but come for the social scene,and will likely buy some food and a beer or two while there. Since it's free,they won't feel obligated to arrive on time,and might stroll in (or out) a number of times while the music is going on. If there is a $5 charge for entry,many of these marginal attendees will likely not attend at all. There goes the extra beer and food sales. In addition,many families that would bring their children along to the show as a family event would be much less inclined to do so if they had to pay to get in;more lost beer and food sales. Further,virtually no one stays for long after a show,as the venders are packing up to leave,and everyone is ready to move on to their next activity,so charging $5 for entry is not really so easy. I think that charging an entry fee for these shows (especially as much as $5) would greatly reduce their attractiveness and subsequent attendance.